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# The Flavours of the Gift

#### by Mark D F Shirley

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The Flavours of the Gift

By Cogitabundus scholae Bonisagi

Cogitabundus scholae Bonisagi sodalibus Ordonum suis salutem plurimam dicit.

I recently had cause to speak with a physician, and his discourse of the humours of the body, that make us sick or hale, and rule our temperament, caused me to ponder whether this analogy could assist us to understand more about the Gift. After careful deliberation I came up with this possible classification of the aspect of the soul that the esteemed Bonisagus termed "the Gift":

## The Sanguine, or Potential Gift

Just as the watery humour of blood originates from the heart and brings warmth to the body, so do the possessors of the Sanguine Gift bring diversity to the Order from the heart of the Realm of Magic. The Sanguine Gift is the most primaeval, and perhaps the most powerful. These Magi work magic because of what the Gift gives them - the power to change shape, power over the elements, the ability to speak with spirits. This humour encourages a generous temprement, and the possessors of the Sanguine Gift are often found using their powers to the benefit of others.These Magi come from lands to the fringes of the Order, and are most likely to have a racial link, for this Gift is the one that courses through bloodlines. These magical traditions revere nature, and are most likely to fall outside of the mainstream of Hermetic Magic. The Houses that possess this Gift in force are those such as Bjornaer, Ex Miscellanea, the lineage of Myanar, and the extinct Díedne. It is also the fount of power for many hedge magicians, such as those termed The Cunning Folk and the Spirit Masters.

## The Phlegmatic, or Rational Gift

Phlegm, in physick, is the aerial humour generated in the brain, the organ that cools the blood. These Gifted individuals have the benefit of cool-headed reasoning. They study magic because of what the Gift tells them - these are the scholarly Magi, and the innovative Magi. Many seek other Realms, some dedicate themselves to the understanding of just one. Phlegmatic Magi are the mystics of the Order, the rational power that keeps it thriving. Phlegm encourages a calm temprement, but also lends itself towards self-absorbtion and dullness. Phlegmatic magi are often among the most obsessive of the Order. This Gift is passes on through the medium that is unique to man - speech. It is the taught Gift, and found in Houses such as Bonisagus, Criamon, and Verditius. Those Natural Magicians and alchemists who dabble with petty magics outside the Order would also have some measure of the Phlegmatic Gift

## The Choleric, or Practical Gift

Choler is generated by the Liver, and this fiery humour is the source of the active emotions. This Gift bestows a sense of action - these Magi are the movers and shakers of the Order. They use magic because of what the Gift does, or more accurately, lets them do. This Gift is rooted in the deep and fiery passions of its possessors, and is often born of will alone. The mastery of the will is an important step in the harnessing of the inherent magical powers of the Choleric Gift. All of the willpower of these Gifted individuals is channelled into mastering their magic, thus their emotions tend to get the better of them, for good or ill. These Magi use magic to achieve physical goals, which are not always aggressive; and thus includes the Houses of Flambeau, Mercere and Jerbiton

## The Melancholic, or Sensory Gift

This earthy humour derives from the action of the spleen, and is the source of the passive emotions. The Magi who have this type of Gift are concerned not with immediate action, but with long term goals. They are cool, but passionate about their plans. They use magic because of how the Gift makes them feel - some get a sense of power-hunger, others are overwhelmed by emotions of joy, or stability. This Gift is passed down from Higher Powers - in the same way that the earth intercepts the sun and the rain, the Melancholic Gift intercepts the powers of the Supernatural Realms and turns this magic to its own use. Melancholy induces a gloomy and sentimental temprement in humans, and these magi are often the most brooding and dangerous to cross. They do not flair up in anger like a Sanguine magus, but instead they plan revenge. This Gift is embraced by Houses Tremere, Tytalus, Merinita and Guernicus. I would also hazard a guess that this gift was also possessed by Trianoma, and may still run riot in the House of the Founder Bonisagus. Those hedge magicians that claim to channel a higher power, such as the ascetics of the mystery religions, and the kabbalists of Judaism, may well possess a portion of this Gift.

This theory remains untested, but I am preparing to begin conducting research on this topic. I believe that certain magi will find certain apprentices acceptable because they possess the same type of Gift, and that same balance of humours also gives the apprentice a temprement suitable to the magus that chose him. In addition, this hypothesis suggests that the different Gifts require different types of training - The Phlegmaticus is best suited to the current focus of a Hermetic Apprenticeship on book-learning, but this might explain the lack of Hermetic skills in House Ex Miscellanea, for example, who require a much more intuitive approach to learning. If I can find a way of discovering which type of Gift a person has, then I can ensure that apprentices are well-matched with their masters, and thus reduce the rate of failure amongst our budding magi.

ratio mea do scrutationi sodales mei

C.